Entries for February 2014

Pekudei: Bringing home the bacon Gold Medal.

Pekudei: Bringing home the bacon Gold Medal.
I don’t remember where I got the notion that Olympic Gold Medalist Sage Kotsenburg is Jewish. I think it was an item in the Jerusalem Post or Times of Israel, but I can’t now find it.  Whatever the source, I felt a small burs... Continue Reading »
Feb 28
Posted in: Torah Commentary

Vayakhel: Kindleh, baby, kindleh!

Vayakhel: Kindleh, baby, kindleh!
Each Erev Shabbat, Jewish women around the world light candles and recite the following blessing (in Hebrew): “You are Blessed, Adonai our G-d, Sovereign of the Universe, Who has Sanctified Us with His Commandments, and Commanded Us to Kindle t... Continue Reading »
Feb 21
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Jewish History, Jewish Rituals

Ki Tisa: G-d, Moses, and Anger Management

Ki Tisa: G-d, Moses, and Anger Management
“I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!”  This exclamation from the 1976 movie Network seems to fit this week’s Parasha, Ki Tissa.   When Moses does not return from atop Mt. Sinai, where G-... Continue Reading »
Feb 14
Posted in: Torah Commentary

Tetsavveh: Lighten up!

Tetsavveh: Lighten up!
In this week’s Torah portion, Tetsavveh, G-d instructs Moses to tell the Israelites to bring him clear oil of beaten olives for the lighting the lamps of Tent of Meeting.    Why olive oil, specifically? The Midrash uses a parabl... Continue Reading »
Feb 07
Posted in: Torah Commentary

If charity cost nothing, the world would be full of philanthropists.
Jewish Proverb